Intraspecific variation in host plant traits mediates taxonomic and functional composition of local insect herbivore communities

Host plant phenotypic traits affect the structure of the associated consumer community and mediate species interactions. We compare herbivore assemblages from the canopy of the phenotypically variable tree Metrosideros polymorpha on Hawai‘i Island. Multiple distinct varieties of M. polymorpha frequently co‐occur, with variation in morphological traits. Using this system, we identify host and insect traits that underlie patterns of herbivore abundance and quantify the strength of host‐insect trait interactions. The dataset includes host plant phenotypic traits (specific leaf area, leaf water content, foliar nutrients, trichome presence), as well as collection information. The dataset also contains the herbivorous insect community associated with this host plant, their abundances and life history traits. R code for analyses in this article is also included.宿主植物的表型性状可影响其关联消费者群落的结构，并介导物种间的相互作用。本研究对夏威夷岛（Hawai‘i Island）上表型多变的多形铁心木（Metrosideros polymorpha）冠层的植食性昆虫类群进行了比较分析。该物种存在多个形态性状存在差异的变种，且这些变种常同域共存。依托这一研究系统，本研究旨在明确调控植食者丰度模式的宿主与昆虫性状，并量化宿主-昆虫间的性状互作强度。 本数据集包含宿主植物的表型性状指标：比叶面积（specific leaf area）、叶片含水量、叶片养分含量、毛状体（trichome）存在情况，同时附带样本采集信息。数据集还涵盖了与该宿主植物关联的植食性昆虫群落数据，包括其种群丰度与生活史性状。此外，本数据集还附带了本文分析所用的R语言代码。